How flights to the UAE including Dubai are being affected by conflict in Middle East

Flight paths across the Middle East are facing disruption due to the escalating conflict in the region. Routes from Europe to the Gulf states face ever-tightening restrictions, with onward journeys to Asia also impacted.

On Tuesday Iran launched a missile attack on Israel, with Israel responding by intensifying airstrikes on Thursday night. As a result airlines have had to cancel routes and divert flights, causing a knock-on effect for international travel.

Dubai is one of the world’s leading travel hubs, connecting more than 260 destinations across the globe and around 260,000 passengers per day during peak travel periods. The emirate is also a holiday destination in its own right, with holidaymakers heading there for winter sun and luxury shopping.

READ MORE: The latest UK Foreign Office advice for Dubai and UAE

Since the recent escalations numerous airspace closures are in place, impacting routes across the Middle East. Here’s what you need to know if you’ve got travel plans in the region.

What airspace warnings are in place?

Usually flights from Europe and North America to the Gulf and onto Asia pass through eastern Europe and then across Iran and Iraq. But these routes are being impacted by airspace closures.

According to the website Safe Airspace, airspace risk levels for Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq and Syria have all been raised to level one ‘do not fly’. The airspace over Jordan is currently at level two ‘danger exists’.

UK operators along with Germany, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Russia have all advised not to enter Iranian airspace. The UK warns of “potential risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and heightened military activity.” Meanwhile the EASA warns against any operations in the airspace of Lebanon “at all flight levels”.

Regarding Iraq, Safe Airspace says: “There are high risks to civil aircraft. Iraqi airspace (ORBB/Baghdad FIR) should be avoided entirely, except for specific routes and altitudes.” It adds that the “ airspace adjoining the Baghdad FIR is also at risk: Iran, Turkey, Syria and Saudi Arabia.”

As a result of the closures airlines are being forced to take diverted routes via the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and Saudi Arabia which is leading to longer flight times.

What if I have a connecting flight?

Passengers with connecting flights can have as little as an hour between connections and with some airlines being delayed by several hours this can result in missed connections. If your flight begins in the UK, airlines are responsible for providing meals and accommodation until you reach your destination. They can also pay out compensation if the delay is within their control - but the conflict is classed as an “extraordinary circumstance”, so passengers can’t claim compensation.

According to ABTA, if your flight departing the UK is cancelled, your airline must offer you the choice of a replacement flight at the earliest opportunity, or a refund. If you’re not flying from the UK make sure you check the terms and conditions of your airline.

What have airlines said?

At the moment airlines are not cancelling flights to the UAE and there are currently no Foreign Office warnings against travel to the UAE. However, several airlines have cancelled flights within the Middle East.

Emirates has announced that it is cancelling all regular flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Jordan on October 4 and 5. It has also said passengers travelling to these destinations via Dubai “will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.”

Qatar Airways has also advised passengers that it is temporarily suspending flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Lebanon destinations. Meanwhile British Airways has announced that it is cancelling flights to Tel Aviv up to and including Saturday, October 26.

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